Do Transmission Fluid Additives Work?

Transmission additives supposedly fix erratic shifting, leaks and other problems. However, testing has shown they can make transmission performance worse.

July 19, 2021

Walk the aisles of most auto parts stores and you’ll find multiple “mechanic-in-a-bottle” transmission additives that claim to restore transmission performance. Do transmission additives work? That’s what we’ll look at in this post.

Some transmission additives make lofty claims, promising one or more of the following benefits:

• Frees stuck valves to improve shifting
• Fixes transmission slipping
• Restores smooth shifts
• Stops leaks
• Conditions worn seals

What do transmission additives do?

First, let’s talk about what transmission additives are and what they do.

Your transmission fluid serves a few vital roles. It acts as a hydraulic fluid to enable shifting, protects gears and bearings against wear, manages heat and provides frictional properties to ensure smooth, consistent shifts.

Over time, the fluid deteriorates, especially if the transmission gets extremely hot from towing or hauling.

Towing and hauling stress transmission fluid.

Heat causes transmission fluid to oxidize, or break down. Fluids that break down allow sludge to form, which plugs narrow passages and interferes with shifting. Worn fluid can also fail to provide the correct frictional properties for your transmission. Eventually, you notice your vehicle shifting hard or erratically. Over time, the seals can also harden, causing them to crack and leak.

Transmission fluid additives are designed to restore the fluid’s properties responsible for providing the correct frictional properties, heat resistance and other benefits. Some include additives designed to soften and swell worn seals, purportedly “fixing” leaks.

They offer the advantage of costing less money than a fluid flush or refill. And, let’s face it, most people would rather dump a bottle of additive into their transmission in the Napa parking lot than schedule a transmission fluid service at their mechanic.

The problem, however, is transmission fluid additives don’t work very well

Although they may provide a short period of improved performance, transmission performance can become worse over time.

“Test data has shown some additives can provide a brief improvement in, for example, anti-shudder durability, but it’s short-lived and performance quickly drops below industry standards,” said mechanical engineer Matt Erickson, AMSOIL V.P. of Product Development.

Wear protection follows the same trend. “In one case, a fluid treated with an aftermarket additive actually offered worse wear protection than the untreated fluid,” said Erickson.

Cold-flow properties can also suffer, leading to delayed, elongated shifts on cold mornings. Transmission fluid that doesn’t flow quickly at startup can reduce protection, leading to increased wear.

Additives can harm your transmission

The fact is, lubricant manufacturers work hard to formulate transmission fluids that deliver reliable shifts while guarding against wear and leaks. Aftermarket additives can disrupt the fluid’s finely tuned chemical balance and degrade performance. Plus, most vehicle and transmission manufacturers warn against using them.

If you’re experiencing transmission problems, don’t waste your money on a “miracle” solution in a bottle. Visit your mechanic and have the problem fixed. Then, invest the money into servicing your transmission properly with a high-quality transmission fluid. You’ll likely save time and frustration in the long run.

Updated. Originally published Sept. 21, 2016.

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